Fluid operated pump head



Dec 9, 1952 c. J. coBERLY FLUID OPERATED PUMP HEAD 2 SHEETS- SHEET lFiled Jan. 2, 1948 WH EMM o/Jwfn NEAS E VCsO.. NN/F /EHHw Mmc o HAR/w;

v llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 1.1..|\r\\`\`\l.nuw lllllllllll aDec. 9, 1952 C. J. COBERLY FLUID OPERATED PUMP HEAD 2 SI-IEETS-Sl-IEET 2Filed Jan. 2. 1948 Patented Dec. 9, 1952 `FLUID OPERATED PUMP HEADClarence J. Coberly, Los Angeles, Calif., assgnor, by mesne assignments,to Dresser Equipment Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of OhioApplication January 2, 1948, Serial No. 237

12 Claims.

My invention relates in general toV apparatus for pumping fluids such asoil from wells and find-sparticular utility in installations in whichfree pumps of the liuid operated type are employed. For convenience indisclosing the invention, I prefer to consider such an installationherein, although it will be understood that the invention' may in manyinstances be profitably incorporated in other installations.

Examples of installations incorporating free pumps of the iiuid operatedtype may be found in my Patent No. 2,230,830 entitled Deep Well Pump andMethod of Installing and Removing the Same, issued February 4, 1941, andin my Patent No. 2,338,903, entitled Fluid Operated Pump Assembly,issued January 11, 1944. In such installations two tubings are set inthe well, either side-by-side, or with one tubing disposed within theother, and are interconnected at their lower ends to provide fluidcommunication therebetween. One of the tubings, hereinafter referred toas the iirst tubing, contains a fluid operated pump which is movable toand from an operating position at the lower end thereof, means beingprovided for admitting well fluid to the intake of the pump. The pumplis operated by a clean fluid, such as oil, which is delivered. theretothrough the first tubing. The oil or other welll fluid delivered by thepump enters the second tubing and ows upwardly therein to the surfaceand thence to a suitable point of discharge or storage.

Whenever it is necessary to remove such a free .pump 'from the 'well for.replacement or repair, this may be accomplished by reversing the flowof fluid through thesystem, i. e., by pumping iiuid downwardly throughthe second tubing so that such liuid enters the rst tubing and movesupwardly therein to move the pump to the surface. The pump may then beremoved from the iirst tubing for repair, or may be removed and replacedby another pump of similar design.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a pump head foruse with an installation of the foregoing nature having improved valvemeans for controlling the flow of operating iiuid and well fluid. Moreparticularly, it is an object of the invention to provide'a four-wayselector valve, preferably of the tapered plug type, which, in one ofits operating positions, conveys operatingfluid from an inlet line intothe first tubing and well fluid from the second tubing into an outletline, and which, in another of its operating positions, is adapted toconvey operating uid from the inlet line to the second tubing and huidfrom thev first tubing into the outlet line.

An important object of the invention is to provide a valve of thisnature which is adaptedV to utilize the iiuid flowing therethrough to4keep it free in its seat so that it will not stick if it remains in oneposition for a protracted period of time.

More particularly, it is an object of my invention to provide a valvewherein the smaller end of the tapered plug is exposed to fluid pressurein the system so that such fluid pressure tends to unseat the plug.

Another object is to provide avalve wherein a portion of the larger endof the tapered plugis also exposed to fluid pressure in the system, theareas of the two ends of the plug which are exposed to such pressurebeing so related that a force tending to unseat the plug exists at alltimes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for relievingthe iiuid pressure in the rst tubing above the pump prior to removal ofthe pump so as to prevent a wet job when pulling the pump. An importantobject in this connection is to provide an installation wherein this maybe accomplished merely by rotating the tapered plug to a third operatingposition. More particularly, it is an object to provide a valve whereinthe tapered plug, when rotated into its third operating position, ventsthe first tubing, and preferably also the second tubing, to atmosphericpressure.

A further object is to provide a pump head having wiping means thereinfor removing any iiuid adhering to the pump as it is removed from therst tubing.

Another object is to provide pressure relieving means which permitsfluid in the second tubing to escape into the outlet line in the eventthat the pressure in the second tubing rises above a predetermined valuefor any reason so as to prevent damage to the installation.

A further object is to provide means for measuring the operatingiiuid'pressure in the system for iany position of the selector valve.

Still Ianother import-ant object of my invention is to provide a pumphead having improved pump catcher means associated therewith forreceiving and retaining the pump when it is moved upwardly through theiirst tubing to the surface. A related object is to provide a pump headwherein the pump catcher means is readily detachable so that the pumpmay be removed readily with a minimum expenditure of time and eiort.

An additional object is to provide -a pump catcher means which includesyielda'ble means for decelerating the pump as it reaches the upper endof the first tubing so as to avoid the development of any shock forces.An important object in this connection is to provide such a pumpcatch-er means wherein the yieldable means comprises hydraulic meansca-pable of offering increasing resistanc'e to upward movement of thepump through the first tubing as it is -being decelerated.

A further object is to provide an apparatus wherein the aforesaid valvemeans and pump catcher means are incorporated in a pump head which iszadapted to be connected to the upper ends of the first and secondtubings.

The foregoing objects of my invention and the advantages suggestedthereby, together with other objects and advantages which will beevident hereinafter, may be attained through the employment of theexemplary embodiment which is illustrated in the accompanying drawingsand which is described in detail hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings, which `are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is -a view on a reduced scale showing a pumping apparatus whichembodies the fundamental principles of my invention as installed in awell; Y

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a pump head forming part of the pumpingapparatus shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the broken line 3 3 ofFig. 2 and, more particularly, along the irregular broken line 3 3 ofFig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view which is taken along the broken 'line 4 4 ofFig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view which is taken alongthe broken line 5 5 yof Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is 4a fragmentary sectional view taken along the broken line 6 6of Fig. 3.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, I show a well casingI0 set in an oil well in the usual manner, the interior of the casingbeing open to an oil producing Zone of the wel'l so that oil and otherfluids from such zone may enter the casing as is well known in the art.The upper end of the well casing I0 is provided with a casing head Ilfrom which a pump tubing I2 and fan auxiliary tubing I3 depend, thetubings I2 and I3, which are referred to hereinafter as the first andsecond tubings, respectively, for convenience, being composed of aplurality of tubing sections as is the lusual practice and beingconnected to the casing head i I in any suitable manner well known inthe art.

The lower ends of the -rst and second tubings I2 and I3 areinterconnected by a foot member I4 having -a pass-age I5 therethroughwhich provides fluid communication between the two tubings. The lowerends of the tubings I2 and I3 and the foot member I4 `are enclosed by agas anchor device I8 having perforations I9 therein through which wellfluid may enter from the casing I3, the gas anchor device being suitablysecured to the foot member, as by a bolt 20, and being sealed withrespect to the tubings I2 and I3 as indicated at 2l.

Disposed in the first tubing I2 is a free pump 23 of the fluid operatedtype, the dimensions of the pump being such that it may move `downwardlythrough the first tubing I2 into an operating position at the lower endthereof, as Ishown in Fig. 1, or upwardly from such operating positionto the surface. When in its operating position, the pump 23 seats on andreceives well fluid through a check valve device 24 carried vby the footmember I4, well iiuid being admitted to the check valve device through atubular inlet plug 25 secured to the foot member. It will be noted thatthe passage I5 interconnecting the first and second tubings I2 and I3communicates with the first tubing at a point intermediate the pump 23and the check valve device 24 so that any fluid iiowing downwardlythrough the second tubing I3 acts on the lower end of the pump in 'anobvious manner.

Such components vof the pumping lapparatus as the gas anchor device I8,the pump 23 and the check valve device 24 per se form n'o part of thepresent invention and are not described in detail herein. For vadetailed description of such components reference is made to theaforesaid prior Patent No. 2,338,903. For the purposes of thisdisclosure, it is sufficient to say that the pump 23 is operated byfluid, such as clean oil, forced downwardly through the rst tubing I2and pumps well nuid admitted by the check valve device 24 upwardlythrough the second tubing I3, this being the iiow pattern through thecomponents of the apparatus thus far described when the pump 23 is inoperation. As will be discussed in more detail hereinafter, lwhenremoval of the pump 23 is desired for any reason, the direction of flowis reversed so that fluid Hows downwardly through the second tubing I3and upwardly through the first tubing I2 to move the pump upwardlythrough the first tubing to the surface.

Attached to the upper ends of the rst and second tubings I2 and I3 is apump head 30 having a supply or inlet line 3| and a discharge or outletline 32 connected thereto, the inlet line being connected to a suitableAhigh pressure pumping mechanism 33 for delivering operating fluid to thepump head, and the outlet line being connected to a suitable point ofdischarge or storage (not shown) for well fluid. As will be discussed inmore detail hereinafter, the pump head 33 includes valve means 35 forcontrolling the flow of operating fluid and well uid through the tubingsI2 and I 3, and includes pump catcher means 35 in alignment with the rsttubing I2 for receiving and retaining the pump 23 when it has been movedto the upper end of the first tubing.

Considering the valve means 35 in more detail, with particular referenceto Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the pump head 30 includes a housing orbody 3'! having a frusto-conical valve chamber 33 therein, theperipheral wall 33 of the valve chamber providing a seat for a taperedvalve member or plug 40. It will be noted that the axial length of thevalve member 40 is somewhat less than that of the valve chamber 38 so asto provide huid-receiving spaces 43 and 44 adjacent the larger andsmaller ends, respectively, of the valve member for a purpose to bediscussed in detail hereinafter. Y

As best shown in Fig. 4, the pumphead body 3'! is provided with a portor passage 45 which connects the valve chamber 33 with the inlet line3l, and is provided with a port or passage 46 winch connects the valvechamber with a chamber 4? formed in the pump head body at the upper endof the first tubing I2, the pump head body also being provided with aport or passage 49 which connects the valve chamber with the outlet line32. The fluid-receiving space 44 ad-y jacent the smaller end of thevalve member 40 communicates with the second tubing I3 and serves as aport or passage at the smaller end of the valve chamber 13:8. It will benoted that vsince the ports 45, 46. andro Vare .located the peripheralwall 3,9 of the valve chamber 38.. the .fluid pressure kin the secondtubing L3 always acts on the l smaller end of; the valve member 4o andtends `to keep Ait free with'lespeot to the peripheral wall or seat 3S,as will be discussed inmore detail hereinafter. 1

The valve member 4c is provided with a trans verse passage Itherethrough which .is adapted to connect the passages 45 and .4,5 whenthe valve member is in a rst operating position so as to conveyoperating fluid from the inlet line 3l into the first tubing I2, andwhich is adapted to'connect .the passages 4 6 and k49 when thevalve'member is in a second operating position so as to convey fluidvfrom the first tubi-ng tothe outlet line 32, the second operatingposition being shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The valve memberMlisprovided with vanother transverse passage 52 therethrough `whichcommunicates with the fluidreceiving space 44 through a gen-.- erallyaxial passage 53 in the valve member, the transverse passage 52 beingadapted to register with the passage 49 Awhen the valve member is in itsrstoperating position so that the passages 52 Iand 53 convey well fluidfrom the second tubing I3 into the outlet line 32, and being adapted toregister with the passage 45 when the valve member-is in its secondoperating position so that the passages 52 and '53 conveyeperating fluidfrom the inlet line 3l into the second Itubing I3.

The valve member is also provided with a pair of generally radialpassages .54. and 55 which communicate with the axial passage 53, thepassage 54 being adapted to regis-ter with the pas.- sage 4.8 leading tothe rst tubing I2 when the valve member is in a third operatingposition, i. e.,when the valve Vmember is rotated approxi.- mately inthe clockwise direction Vfrom the position shown in Fig. 4 of thedrawings, .and the passage 55 being adapted to register with a passage56 in the pump head body 31 when the valve member is in its thirdoperating position. The passage 56 communicates with a bleed line 51-which -is connected to the pump head body 31 by a suitable fitting 58.Although the bleed line 51 may lead to any suitable poi-nt of discharge,it preferably leads into the well casing I0 through the `casing head I-Ias indicated in 1-. It willqbe apparent that when the valve member is inits third operating position, so that the passages 54 and .55 in-thevalve member register-with the passages 45 and 55, respectively, thenrst and second tubings I2 and I3. are vented to -substantiallyatmospheric pressure, i. e., the pressure .in the well casing I0. vItwill also be noted that when the valve member l0- is in third operatingposition, any .communication between the rst and second tubings VI2 and1.3 and the inletand outlet lines 3-I and `32 is shut 01T.

The pump head 3D is provided witha gauge 5 9 for indicating the pressureof the operating iiud supplied through the -inlet line .3l when thevalve member 4,0is itsiirst and .second positions, the pressure gaugebeing carried-by a val-.ve .6.9. which may ,be ,opened to admit fluid tothe `gauge whenever an inlet pressure reading is desired. fir-he valve,60 is mountedion .the pump head body 31 andcommunicateswith Ione endlof a passage El in the 'body31, the :other ,end .of the passage .3lcommunicating with ,the valve chamber :38, as best shown in F-igf of thedrawings. When the valve member 4I)k is in its second operatingposition, e., 4theorie ,shown .in Fig. -4 of the .drawF ingame passagein the valvemerrrber registers with the passage 6| so that the pressure.of the huid in Athe inlet line 3l is applied to the gauge 59 bvwav ofthe passage 45 in the lpump heed body 31, the passages 52, 513 vand 1.55the valve member 4i), the passage t1 in the pump .head body, and thevalve Ell, 'fhe val-ve member 40 is also provided with a passage .6 2whioheornmuncates with vthe passage 5I therein and which .is adapted toregister with the passage :6l in .the pump head body 3,1 when the valvemember is-'in its first operating position, i. e., when the valve memberis rotated approximately 999 in the counterolookwise direction .fromthe. position shown .in Fig. 4. Consequently, whenthe Vvalve member 40is in its .first operating position, the pressure ofthe :fluid in theinlet line el is applied to the gauge ,59 bv wav of. the passage .4 5inthe pump .head body A3l, the lpassages :5l and 1,6;2

the valve member, the passage el in the pump head body, and the valvetil, lhus, inlet pressure readings may be obtained irrespective ofwhether the valve member 4U in its irst or second position, which `is afeature of the invention. f l

The valve member 4.0. is also providedwith va passage 6,3 whichcommunicates with the passage 53 therein and which is adapted to`register with the passage 6I in the pump head body 3l when the valvemember is its third operating position .so .that pressure readings mayalso be fobY` tained when the valve member is in this 4posi tion. Itwill be Anoted that since the valve meme ber 40 connects the first andsecond tubings .l2 and I3 to .the bleed line 51 when it is in its thirdoperating position, the pressure gauge 5,9 will in.-y dicate thepressure to vwhich the first and .second tubings are vented. v

The valve member 40 may `be rotated into any of its three operatingpositions by means of a handle 64 which is suitably secured to a stem6.5

Veritfrildin'g axially from the larger end of the valve member throughan opening .6;6 in a closure member 61. As best Shown :in Fig, .thehandle .64. .bea-rs indicia 63, 5.9 and 1.0 which, when brought intoregistry with .an arrow 1I .carried by a cap member 12, indicate thenrst, second and third operating positions, respectively, of the valvemeinber- The closure member 6 1 is shown .as being threaded into aeounterbore lf3 in the pump .head body 31 and ser-ves to retain thevalve-'member 49 inthe valve chamber .3.3, the .closure :meme ber bei-ngseparated .from the valve member' by .a ball bearing assembly 14 which-enciroles the stem 65 of the valve ,member aI-ldis .seatedaganst thelarger endthereoi. The purpose of the'ball bearing assembly 741s tominimize friotional rresistance to rotation of the -valve `member 481. Afluid-tight Aseal between the stem L55 of the valve member 40 and theAclosure member 1611 .is provided by an annular .sealing ring 11E-whichencircles the stem 65 and is disposedin an an nular groove in theclosure member.

l prefer Vto provide means for flubrieating the valve member 40 and,with this end in View, the stem 65 o f the valve member is preferablytubular to provide a chamber .15 for a lubricant .SIlChas grease, forexample, a vscr-ew `11, .or the like, be.- ing threaded into the chamber1-6 and being adapted to expel the lubricant Itherefrom tlir)ughvapassage 18 and past a ball check Valve 19. The

lubricant expelled past the ball cheek valve is dise :tributedthroughout the interface between the surface o f the Valve member iil!and the tapered valve seat 39 by means of an annular groove 80 formed inthe valve member.

Referring now to the pump catcher means 36, as best shown in Fig. 3, thepump head body 31 is provided with a bore 86 therein which is in axialalignment with the first tubing I2, and which communicates with thechamber 41 in the pump head body. The previously mentioned cap member 12forms part of the pump catcher means 36 and is normally disposed in thebore 86, a fluidtight seal between the cap member and the pump head body31 being provided by an annular sealing element 81 which is formed ofrubber or a similar material and which is disposed in an annular groovein the cap member. The cap member 12 is retained in the bore 86 byradial lugs 88 thereon which extend into an annular groove 89 in thepump head body 31, the lugs 88 being insertable into the annular groove39 through longitudinally extending slots 90 in the pump head body whichcommunicate with the annular groove. It will be apparent that the capmember 12 may be locked in place with respect to the pump head body 31by inserting the lugs into the annular groove 89 through thelongitudinally extending slots 90 and subsequently rotating the capmember so that the lugs are out of registry with the slots, as indicatedin Fig. 2. In order to prevent rotation of the cap member 12 after ithasbeen locked in this manner, dowel pins 9| may be inserted intosuitable openings in the pump head body 31, the cap member beingprovided with notches 92 therein through which the dowel pins may beinserted. As shown in Fig. 2, each pair of dowel pins 9| receive one ofthe lugs 88 therebetween to prevent rotation of the cap member 12 sothat it cannot become disengaged from the pump head body 31.

The cap member 12 is provided with a bore 95 and a series ofcounterbores 96, 91 and 98 therein, a pump catcher 99 for receiving andretaining the pump 23 being disposed in the counterbore 98, and ayieldable cushioning means being disposed in the bore 95 and thecounterbores 96 and 91. The pump catcher 99 includes a pair of latchelements |93 which are pivotable toward and away from each other, thelatch elements being connected to lugs |94 extending into thecounterbore 98 by parallel pivotpins |95, as best shown in Fig. 6. Thelatch elements |03 are normally urged inwardly toward each other byU-shaped springs IBG encircling the pivot pins and engaging the latchelements and the wall of the counterbore 99. The adjacent surfaces |01of the latch elements |03 converge upwardly and are adapted to beengaged by a conical head |98 on a rod I 09 forming part of the pump 23to force the latch elements apart so that the conical head may passtherebetween as the pump 23 moves upwardly through the first tubing I2and reaches the upper end thereof. After the conical head |03 has passedbetween the latch elements |93, the springs |03 rotate the latchelements inwardly so that they engage the under side of the conical headto hold the pump 23.

The function of the yieldable cushioning means |03 is to decelerate thepump 23 gradually as it reaches the upper end of the first tubing I2 andas the conical head |99 on the rod I G9 is received by the pump catcher99 so as to avoid the development of shock forces. As best shown in Fig.3, the yieldable means |93 includes a dashpot member I I Il which ismovable in the counter- ,bore 91, the diameter of the dash-pot memberbeing somewhat less than that of the counterbore 91 so that a clearanceis provided therebetween. The upper surface of the dash-pot member IIOis tapered, as indicated at III, and is adapted to engage a tapered seat|I2 formed at the junction of the counterbores 96 and 91. The dash-potmember I I0 is provided with a stem I I3 which extends through thecounterbore 9S and is slidable in the bore 95, a nut I4 being threadedon the stem of the dash-pot member to limit downward movement thereof.The dash-pot member I I0 is normally urged downwardly by a compressionspring |I5 which encircles the stem II3. As will be discussed in moredetail hereinafter, the dash-pot member I 0 constitutes a hydraulicmeans for offering an increasing resistance to upward movement ofthepump 23 so as to decelerate it to rest.

For convenience in considering the operation of the pumping apparatus,it will be assumed that the pump 23 is in its operating position at thelower end of the first tubing I2 as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Inorder to operate the pump, it is necessary to rotate the valve member 40into its first operating position by means of the handle 64, the valvemember being in its first operating position when the indicium 60 on thehandle registers with the arrow 1I. Thus, the valve member 40 providesiiuid communication between the inlet line 3| and the rst tubing I2 viathe passages 45, 5| and 43 and the chamber 41 so that operating fluidunder pressure from the pumping mechanism 33 is delivered to the pump 23to operate same. As previously mentioned, well iiuid in the casing I0enters the gas anchor device I8 through the perforations I9 therein andis admitted to the intake of the pump 23 through the tubular inlet plug25 and the check valve device 24, the iiuid delivered by the pumpiiowing through the passage I5 in the foot member I4 and into the secondtubing I3. lVhen in its first operating position, the valve member 49provides fluid communication between the second tubing I3 and the outletline 32 so that the Iiuid delivered by the pump 23 may flow from thesecond tubing into the outlet line via the passages 53, 52 and 49.

If removal of the pump 23 is desired for any reason, the valve member 40may be rotated into its second operating position by moving the handle64 until the ndicium 69 thereon registers with the arrow 1|. Moving thevalve member 40 from its first operating position into its secondoperating position establishes fluid communication between the inletline 3l and the second tubing I3 and between the first tubing I2 and theoutlet line 32 so that flow through the system is reversed, operatinguid flowing from the inlet line into the second tubing by way of thepassages 45, 52 and 53, and the fluid in the rst tubing above the pump23 flowing into the outlet line via the chamber 41 and the passages 43,5| and 49.

The operating fluid flowing downwardly through the second tubing I3 whenthe valve member 40 is in its second operating position enters the firsttubing I2 beneath the pump 23 by way of the passage I5 through the footmember I 4 and tends to move the pump upwardly through the first tubingtoward the surface. It will be apparent that if upward movement of thepump 23 through the first tubing I2 is prevented for any reason, forexample, by sticking of the pump in its operating position at the lowerend of the first tubing, or by the presence of an obstruction in thefirst tubing above the pump,

the pressure of theopeieung huidin the'pumping apparatus, andparticularly'in the second :generally'by the numeral A|||3 in Fig. 5 ofthe "drawings, for Joy-passing the pumping vapparatus by ldiverting theoperating lui'dinto the outlet iine -32 whenever the pressure 'of the`operating 'uid reaches a predetermined maximum value.

As best shown in Fig. 5jof 'the drawings, the pressure relieving `meansI I6 includes a'frangible disc l| II which is Vdispsed inl a passage II8 'in the pump head body 31, the passage communicating `at one end withthe fluid-receiving space 44 and at its einer end with the passage fsaYleading to the outlet line 32. The disc ||`1 is designed be 'rupturedwhenever vth'epressure of the operating yfluid inthe secn'd 'tubing I3'exceeds a pre- 'tletermined'value sthat `the 'operating fluid may newfrom the second "tubing 'into the outlet line 32 by way 4of thenuidere'ceiving space 44 and* the passages 1 I8 and 49, thus preventingdamage to the pumping apparatus.

y In the particular constructionillustrated, the fra-ngible disc isretained 'in the proper position in the passage IIB bya member I I3having fa 'Y passage I2- therethrough which regi-sters with 'the passagevI I8, the member j| I9 being threaded into a rbore |^2| va'ndjbeingadapted to seat the disc againsta Yshoulder |22 at the inner end of thebore. men-t |23 is disposed between the disc II'I and the shoulder |22to provide a huid-tight seal between the ydisc and the-pump head body31.

yAs indicated, the disc is "desi'gned to be 'ruptured only if the`pressure yci? the operating fluid exceeds 'a predetermined value whenexcessive resistance to upward movement of the pump 23 in the rst tubingl|52 isvencountered.

l\ lormally, the operating fluid introduced beneath `the pump 23 in themanner hereinbefore de- "scribed moves tire pump upwardlythrough theVfirst tubing i2 to the surface, the `flui-'d'in the 'rst tubing abovethe pump being discharged into the 'Outlet line 3 2. AS ythe 'Cnal headltlY On the pump rod |59 enters 'the countebore in 4the pump headvbody'S''I, it passes between the latch Velements |03 anden'gages theldash-pot member H0', the latch elements being spread apart iby theconical head as vit passes therebetween. The springs |06 rotate thelatch elements |03 inwardly toward ea-ch other afterthe conical head |08has passed therebetween so that the latch elements retain the lunp J2 3vInt-mt 'of the Dump 423 inthe 'fli's't'tubln'g l2 issn high that vthepump has not been brought to 'rest by the time the dash==pot member III) approaches the upper 'end of its travel, the dash-mot member oie'rsincreasing resistance t'o movement Jof ythe Preferably, an annularsealing velepump -te 'complete 'the deceleration. 4such ytapered sea-ttherefor 'because the 'crQss'jsectional a'rea voef the passage lthrough'which l.fluid trapped 4`aboihe'the dash-pet member may 'escape `isreduced. as the-dasheipotmember ||0 approaches thefseat `|7|"2,theresi'stance to up- Ward'moveme'nt Itlieplllnp 23 increases rapidly teincrease the rate lci deceleration ofthe pump 'and bring it 'to 'restz ff @After the p11-mp -23 has been 'received by the :catcher jjrrieans 36'this manner, the valve ber Il) may be retated inte its thirdvoperating' 'p'c A len-by vim'dying' the handle =`i'll until the indi"'um T0 thereonregisters with the arrow 1|.

the valve v`memberlll is in its third operating positio'r'i, the firsttubing I2 above the pump 23 -isv'ente'd te atmospheric pressure throughlthe chamber 141, 'me passage 4s, the sped 'passage 54, the passage 53,the bleed passages 'Strand "5'6 and thebleed line 5l. Thus, the fluidpressure in the rs't tubi-ng vI 2 above the pum-p 423, andinvcidentally'the' pressure in the second tubing |3-, is relieved-so'that subsequent removal of the cap member T2 in pulling the pump willnot result in a surge of ffl-uid from the pump head 3S.

'It will be 'understeod that the pressure relieved inthis manner mayresult from -a static head in le in pulling the pu'nlp 23.

'After the system has been bled in this manthe 23 may be removed fromthe first tubing I2 by Vreleasing the cap member and ypulling it and thepump upwardly clear of the pump head 30, the -cap member being providedwith an veye |24 thereon for the reception of a suit- 'able pullingmeans (not shown). In order to reduce further the amount of fluid whichmay 'be spilled in pulling the pump 23, it is a feature -of Vtheinvention to provide means |25 for wiping most of the fluid from thepump 23 as which may be formed of oil resistant rubber er other suitablematerial and which is 'seated in 'an annular groove I2'I formed in theWall 'of the bore 48|5 in the pump head body 31. The wiping member |26is provided with van 'opening |28 therethrough which is ofsmallerdiameter than the pump 23 so that the bulk of any fluid adhering to thepump will be wiped therefrom as it is pulled through this opening.

`ItWll be noted 'that in View y0f the presence of the iluiderec'eivingspace 44 adjacent -the smaller end of the valve member 40, this "end ofthe valve member is always exposed to the pressure of the liluid in thesecond tubing I3. Although the fluid l-receiving space 43 at the largerend of the valve member 4 0 may bevented to atmospheric 'or othersuitable pressure if desired, I preferto connect it to the' uid=reVceving space 44 by means of avent passage 129 in the valve member 40.In order that the force resulting from the net pressure differentialacross the valve member' will act in the proper direction to keep thevalvememb'er free in its seat 39, the 'diameter of the stem' 65 'ofthfelv'alve member is such that' the area 'of the Iargerendof the valvemember which V is Vexposed to' 'ilui'd in lthe space '43 Vis le'ssthanthe area of the 'smaller end "Qf the Vvalvemen'1b-er which is V exposedto uid inthe space 44.' 'Th'u's, sin'cefthe end oi the -stem 65 isexposed to 'atmospheric pressure and since the pressures obtaining inthe spaces 43 and 44 will usually be substantially above atmospheric,the force resulting from the net pressure diierential across the valvemember will always act in a direction to unseat the valve member so asto minimize any tendency of the valve member to stick in its seat, whichis an important feature of the invention.

Although I have -disclosed an exemplary embodiment of my invention inconnection with a specific pumping apparatus, it will be understood thatI do not intend to be limited specifically thereto since variouschanges, modiiications and substitutions may be incorporated in theembodiment disclosed and since various features of the invention may beincorporated in other apparatus, all without necessarily departing fromthe spirit of the invention. Consequently, I hereby reserve the right tothe protection afforded by the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my.invention:

l. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of: apump head; first and second tubings adapted to extend into a well andconnected at their upper ends to said pump head; means providing iiuidcommunication between the lower ends of said tubings; an inlet lineconnected to said pump head; an outlet line connected to said pump head;a bleed line connected to said pump head; and valve means associatedwith said pump head and movable between rst, second and third operatingpositions, said valve means having passage means therethrough whichprovide fluid communication between said first tubing and said inletline and between said outlet line and said second tubing when said valvemeans is in its first operating position, which provide fluidcommunication between said second tubing and said inlet line and betweensaid outlet line and said iirst tubing when said valve means is in itssecond operating position, and which provide fluid communication betweensaid bleed line and said first tubing when said valve means is in itsthird operating position. A

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said passage meansprovide iiuid communication between said bleed line and said iirsttubing and between said bleed line and said second tubing when saidvalve means is in its third operating position.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of: ahousing provided with an inlet passage, an outlet passage, rst andsecond intermediate passages, and a bleed passage; and valve meansdisposed in said housing and movable between first, second and thirdoperating positions, said valve means having passage means therethroughwhich connect said iirst intermediate passage to said inlet passage andsaid outlet passage to said second intermediate passage when said valvemeans is in its iirst operating position, which connect said secondintermediate passage to said inlet passage and said outlet passage tosaid first intermediate passage when said valve means is in its secondoperating position, and which connect said bleed passage to said firstintermediate passage when said valve means is in its third operatingposition.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of ahousing provided with a valve chamber therein and provided with an inletpassage, an outlet passage, first and second intermediate passages, anda bleed passage, all

of which communicate with said valve chamber; and a valve memberrotatable in said valve chamber between first, second and thirdoperating positions, said valve member having passages therein whichconnect and provide fluid communication between said first intermediatepassage and said inlet passage and connect and provide iiuidcommunication between said outlet passage and said second intermediatepassage when said valve member is in its first operating position, whichconnect and provide iiuid communication between said second intermediatepassage and said inlet passage and connect and provide fluidcommunication between said outlet passage and said first intermediatepassage when said valve member is in its second operating position, andwhich connect and provide fluid communication between said bleed passageand said rst intermediate passage when said valve member is in its thirdoperating position.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of: ahousing provided with a frusto-conical valve chamber therein andprovided with passages therein which communicate with said valvechamber; a frusto-conical valve member adapted to seat in said valvechamber and movable therein between operative and inoperative positions,said valve member being provided with a passage therethrough whichconnects said passages in said housing when said valve member is in itsoperative position; and means for exposing an area of the smaller end ofsaid valve member and an area of the larger end of said valve member touid pressure in one of said passages in said housing, said area of saidlarger end being less than said area of said smaller end.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of: ahousing provided with a frusto-conical valve chamber therein, theperipheral wall of said valve chamber and the smaller f of the end wallsthereof each being provided with a port; and a frustoconical valvemember adapted Y to seat in said valve chamber and rotatable thereinbetween operative and inoperative positions, said valve member beingprovided with a passage therethrough which connects said ports when saidvalve member is in its operative position,-an area of the smaller end ofsaid valve member and an area of the larger end of said valve memberbeing exposed to fluid pressure in said port in the smaller end wall ofsaid valve chamber, said area of said larger end being less than saidarea of said smaller end.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of z ahousing provided with a frusto-conical valve chamber therein, theperipheral wall of said valve chamber being provided with an inlet port,a rst intermediate port and an outlet port and the smaller of the endwalls of said chamber being provided with a second intermediate port;and a frusto-conical valve member adapted to seat in said valve chamberand rotatable therein between first and second operating positions, saidvalve member having passages therein which connect and provide iiuiclcommunication between said inlet port and said first intermediate portand connect and provide fluid communication between said secondintermediate port and said outlet port when said valve member is in itsfirst `operating positionL and which connect and provide fluidcommunication between said inlet port and said second intermediate portand connect and provide fluid communication between said outlet port andsaid first intermediate port when said valve member is in its secondoperating position, the smaller end of said valve member being exposedto uid pressure in said second intermediate port.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 having means for exposing aportion of the larger end of said valve member to fluid pressure in saidsecond intermediate port, the area of said portion being less than thearea of the smaller end of said valve member.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of: ahousing provided with a valve chamber therein and provided with aplurality of flow passages and a pressure passage, all of which-communicate with said valve chainber; a pressure gauge communicatingwith said pressure passage; and a valve member movable in said valvechamber between a plurality of operating positions, said valve memberhaving passages therein which connect and provide iiuid communicationbetween selected ones of said flow passages when said valve member is ineach of said operating positions, and which connect and provide fluidcommunication between said pressure passage and one of said flowpassages when said valve member is in each of said operating positions.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of: ahousing provided with a valve chamber therein and provided with an inletpassage, an outlet passage, first and second intermediate passages, anda pressure passage, all of which communicate with said valve chamber apressure gauge communicating with said pressure passage; and a valvemember rotatable in said valve chamber between first and secondoperating positions, said valve member having passages therein whichconnect and provide uid communication between said first intermediatepassage and said inlet passage and connect and provide fluidcommunication between said outlet passage and said second intermediatepassage when said valve member is in its first operating position, whichconnect and provide fluid communication between said second intermediatepassage and said inlet passeage and connect and provide iiuidcommunication between said outlet passage and said rst intermediatepassage when said valve member is in its second operating position, andwhich connect and provide fluid communication between said pressurepassage and said inlet passage when said valve member is in either itsfirst or its second operating position.

11. In an apparatus of the character described,

the combination of a housing provided with an inlet passage, an outletpassage, first and second intermediate passages, and a by-pass passage,said by-pass passage connecting said inlet and outlet passages; valvemeans disposed in said housing and movable between first and secondoperating positions, said valve means having passage means therethroughfor connecting said first intermediate passage to said inlet passage andsaid outlet passage to said second intermediate passage when said valvemeans is in its first operating position, and for connecting said secondintermediate passage to said inlet passage and said outlet passage tosaid first intermediate passage when said valve means is in its secondoperating position; and frangible means obstructing said by-passpassage, said frangible means being adapted to be ruptured if thepressure in said inlet passage exceeds a predetermined value so as toprovide fluid communication between said inlet and outlet passages.

12. In a valve apparatus of the character described, the combination of:a housing provided f with a frusto-conical valve chamber therein, the

peripheral wall of said valve chamber being provided With an inlet port,a rst intermediate port and an outlet port, and the smaller of the endwalls of said chamber being provided with a second intermediate port;and a frusto-conical valve member adapted to seat in said valve chamberand ro-tatable therein between first and second operating positions,said valve member having a lateral passage therethrough which registerswith said inlet port and said first intermediate port when said valvemember is in its first operating position, and which registers with saidfirst intermediate port and said outlet port when said valve member isin said second operating position, said valve member having a generalaxial passage therein which continually registers with said secondintermediate port, said valve member having another lateral passagetherethrough which communicates with said generally axial passage, oneend of said other lateral passage registering with said outlet port whensaid Valve member is in said iirst operating position, and the other endof said other lateral passage registering with said inlet port when saidvalve member is in said second operating position.

CLARENCE J. COBERLY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 61,311 Brown Jan. 22, 1867167,817 Bailey Sept. 21, 1875 593,412 Bromley Nov. 9, 1897 1,465,320Spruill Aug. 21, 1923 1,506,197 Nicholas Aug. 26, 1924 1,713,910 Mulderet al. May 21, 1929 1,864,412 Davis June 21, 1932 2,100,778 HeidbrinkNov. 30, 1937 2,147,924 Salentine Feb. 21, 1939 2,239,169 Franck Apr.22, 1941 2,256,279 Farmer Sept. 16, 1941 2,298,771 Lamar Oct. 13, 19422,338,903 Coberly Jan. 11, 1944

